A lot of small businesses assume that building a security program requires a big budget, a dedicated team, and months of planning. That assumption keeps a lot of organizations from ever getting started.
The truth is, a security program doesn’t have to be expensive or complex to be effective. What it has to be is intentional. You need a plan, a few foundational practices, and the discipline to follow through.
Here’s how to get started, even if your security budget is currently zero.
What a “Security Program” Actually Means
A security program isn’t a product you buy. It’s a set of practices, policies, and priorities that guide how your organization protects its information and systems.
At its core, a security program answers three questions:
- What are we protecting? (Your assets: data, systems, people)
- What are we protecting it from? (Your threats: attackers, accidents, disasters)
- How are we protecting it? (Your controls: technical, administrative, physical)
You don’t need a 100-page document to answer these questions. You need clarity and follow-through.
Step 1: Know What You Have
You can’t secure what you don’t know about. Before anything else, build a basic inventory of your assets:
- Hardware: servers, workstations, laptops, network devices, mobile devices
- Software: operating systems, applications, cloud services, SaaS tools
- Data: where your sensitive information lives, who has access, how it’s stored
- People: who has admin access, who manages systems, who handles sensitive data
This doesn’t need to be a perfect inventory. A spreadsheet is fine. The goal is to move from “we think we have about 30 computers” to “here’s a list of every device and system we’re responsible for.”
Step 2: Pick a Framework (Don’t Overthink It)
A security framework gives you a structured way to organize your efforts. You don’t need to implement every control on day one; you need a map to guide your priorities.
For small businesses starting from scratch, the CIS Controls are a strong choice. They’re practical, prioritized, and free. The first several controls focus on the fundamentals, things like asset management, software inventory, access control, and secure configuration.
Other options include NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) and ISO 27001, but CIS is often the most accessible starting point.
The framework you choose matters less than the fact that you chose one and started working through it.
Step 3: Handle the Basics First
With your asset inventory started and a framework selected, focus on the foundational controls:
Access Control
- Enable multi-factor authentication on everything that supports it
- Remove access for former employees
- Limit admin privileges to people who actually need them
Patching
- Establish a regular patching schedule (monthly at minimum)
- Prioritize internet-facing systems and critical vulnerabilities
- Don’t forget firmware on network devices
Backups
- Verify your backups are running and test a restore
- Keep at least one backup copy offline or in a separate environment
- Document your backup and recovery process
Passwords
- Implement a password policy (length over complexity, use a password manager)
- Check for compromised passwords using breach databases
- Pair passwords with MFA wherever possible
These aren’t glamorous. They’re also responsible for preventing the vast majority of successful attacks against small businesses.
Step 4: Write It Down
A security program that lives entirely in someone’s head isn’t a program; it’s tribal knowledge. Start documenting your practices, even if the documents are simple.
Essential documents to start with:
- Acceptable use policy: what employees can and can’t do with company systems
- Password policy: your standards for password management
- Incident response plan: what to do when something goes wrong (even a one-page version is better than nothing)
- Backup and recovery procedure: how backups work and how to restore
These don’t need to be formal or perfect. They need to exist, be accessible, and be reviewed periodically. Especially if you don’t have a dedicated IT department.
Step 5: Build Security Into Your Routine
Security isn’t a project with an end date. It’s an ongoing practice. The most effective security programs aren’t the ones with the biggest budgets; they’re the ones with consistent habits.
Build these into your regular operations:
- Monthly: review patches, check backup status, review access lists
- Quarterly: review policies, update asset inventory, assess any changes to your environment
- Annually: conduct a broader security assessment, review your framework progress, update your roadmap
Step 6: Know When to Get Help
Building a security program from scratch is absolutely something a small business can do on its own, up to a point. There are areas where outside expertise can save you significant time and help you avoid common mistakes:
- Security assessments to identify what you’re missing
- Framework alignment to map your current state against a standard
- Technical reviews of configurations, firewall rules, or architecture
- Security presentations to get buy-in from leadership or educate your team
You don’t need to hire a full-time security person to get professional guidance. Project-based engagements let you bring in expertise for specific needs without a long-term commitment.
The Bottom Line
Building a security program isn’t about spending money. It’s about being deliberate. Know what you have, pick a framework, handle the basics, write it down, and make it a habit.
Most small businesses are closer to having a real security program than they think. The gap isn’t capability; it’s structure. Put the structure in place, and you’re already ahead of most organizations your size.
If you want help getting started or want a structured presentation on building a security program for your team, that’s something we do. We’ve helped businesses go from zero to a functional security program, one step at a time.
– Derek, Founder of DC Security Solutions.
DC Security Solutions offers security program development guidance and presentations for small and medium businesses. Learn more →